Local massage therapist heading to Olympic Games

APPLE VALLEY • As the eyes of the world focus on the Summer Olympic Games in England, Apple Valley's Danielle Hendrix will be at the center of the action as she helps Team U.S.A. aim for the gold.

"I stared at the email on my phone and cried when I found out that I had been selected to go to London," said Hendrix, a massage therapist who will use her skills on U.S. athletes to increase performance, flexibility, circulation and relaxation, and to help with pain management.

Hendrix first dreamed of being involved with the games at age eight, when family friend, Ruby Fox, won a 1984 Olympic Silver Medal in shooting.

"I really don't know what to expect. I've been told to be ready for long days and long hours," said Hendrix, whose first day on the job is July 16, almost two weeks before the opening ceremony. "I've been working out to get in shape for the sporadic hours."

Hendrix and a portion of Team U.S.A. will stay at the High Performance Clinic on the campus of the University of East London Docklands during the games.

"Once I start working with the athletes, I will be in my zone, but everything up to that point is still all up in the air," Hendrix said.

Prior to the games, Hendrix and her husband, Robb, and daughter, Kimberely, 11, will fly to Europe and embark on a two-week Baltic Sea cruise.

"It's a time to relax with my family, and hopefully they will see the Olympic venue before they fly back home and I go to work," Hendrix said. "I'll be gone for about a month, and we're going to need some time together."

Hendrix works in the Palliative Department at St. Joseph Health, St. Mary. She said her boss, department manager Sheri Morosco, has been supportive during Hendrix's Olympic endeavors.

"Danielle's professionalism, dedication and strong work ethic, makes her who she is," Morosco said. "She commits herself 100 percent to everything that she does, and to have a supportive family willing to allow her to go is wonderful. We are excited for her."

The power of massage therapy came alive to Hendrix in the '90s, after her severely injured ankle improved dramatically at the hands of a massage therapist. Soon after, Hendrix left her position as college sports editor and embraced the world of physical therapy.

In 2010, Hendrix worked with U.S. Olympic Bobsled Medal winners Steve Holcomb, Elana Meyer and Curtis Tomasevicz at the Olympic Training Facility in Lake Placid, N.Y. And over the last two years, Hendrix has worked with various U.S. athletes in Southern California, including the men's polo and volleyball teams and the women's volleyball team.

"This is a passion that runs deep. I really believe in what I'm doing," Hendrix said. "Only passion could make someone do this for free."

The Summer Games, which are scheduled for July 27 through Aug. 12, will air on NBC. Highlights of the games will be streamed online at www.YouTube.com/olympic/.

You can follow Hendrix online at www.daniellehendrix.blogspot.com.

Rene De La Cruz can be reached at mrrenedelacruz@gmail.com.

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